Biomes

A biome is characterized by the plant, animal life and climate in a region. The earth has many different environments that vary in temperature, moisture, light and the life that the various conditions support.

Biomes are often referred to as ‘ecosystems’. The importance of biomes should not be overestimated.

During the history of life on earth, biomes have changed and moved many times, more recently, due to human activities. Over the past few decades, human activity such as forest destruction and pollution has rapidly destroyed many ecological habitats. Conservation and preservation of biomes should be a major concern to all.

The 3 major biome classifications are:

Terrestrial (land) biome
Freshwater biome
Ocean biome

Biomes are often given local names in different parts of the world. For example, a Temperate grassland or shrubland biome is known commonly as ‘steppe’ in central Asia, ‘prairie’ in North America and ‘pampas in South America. Tropical grasslands are known as ‘savanna’ in Australia as well as Southern Africa where in the Afrikaans it is known as ‘veldt’. Sometimes an entire biome may be targeted for protection, especially under an individual nation’s Bio diversity Action Plan.

Here at Animal Corner, we are going to take a look at some of the Earth’s biomes and what particular animal life is supported by them.